Summary:
This analysis covers five elementary schools (PK-5) in zip code 75181, all part of the Mesquite Independent School District (Isd), which serves a community with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students.
Cross Elementary is the clear top performer, consistently ranking in the 40th percentile or higher and earning a 3-star rating in recent years, despite having the largest student body (803 students) and the highest student-teacher ratio (16.3). It is the only school in the area to significantly outperform district and state averages, particularly in 5th-grade Science where its 42.11% proficiency rate nearly doubles the district average. In contrast, Thompson Elementary and Pirrung Elementary are the lowest performers, ranking in the bottom 4-5% of Texas elementary schools, with proficiency rates often 20-25 percentage points below Cross Elementary. Gentry Elementary and Achziger Elementary form a middle tier, with rankings in the 29th to 31st percentile and inconsistent year-over-year test scores.
A key finding is that spending per student does not predict success: Pirrung Elementary has the highest spending ($9,286 per student) but is one of the lowest-performing, while Achziger Elementary has the lowest spending ($7,971) but outperforms both Pirrung and Thompson. Additionally, Cross Elementary’s success despite having the highest student-teacher ratio and a high poverty rate (81.94% free/reduced lunch) suggests that factors like school leadership and curriculum are more critical than class size alone. The achievement gap within this single zip code is stark, with a 25-percentage-point difference in 3rd-grade Math proficiency between Cross and Thompson, highlighting significant equity challenges within the district.
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